Thursday, February 5, 2009

INTRO: God is grieved by deceit and sometimes sends judgement on His own as an example and a lesson for others.

A great revival had taken place at Pentecost. Thousands were saved. Many had been healed. Material possessions had lost their value. Barnabas had sold his possessions and brought his money to the Apostles for the less fortunate. Ananias & Sapphira were envious of the praise and attention and sold theirs also. When they brought only part of the money they pretended to give it all. They were stricken dead and the people were gripped with great fear.

Lessons we need to learn:1. Saved people can and do sin. These folks were no doubt saved in the Pentecost Experience. Maybe among the 3,000 or 5,000 saved in the first days of revival. Other examples are Aachan, David, & Peter.2. Sins are committed against the Spirit. It is possible to "tempt" (Acts 5:9), to "grieve" (Eph. 4:31), "quench" (I Thess. 5:17), or "lie" (Acts 5:3,4) to the Spirit.3. Sin will always come out. The old truth, "be sure your sins will find you out", Is seen here. Also, "whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap". Examples: Adnoibezek, Haman, Nadab & Abihu, Ahab, & David.4. God makes examples of some. We see many getting by with sin then in this case The Lord sends judgement. Obviously He uses them as examples to teach us.5. Fear of God. The bible speaks of those who have no fear of God before their Eyes. Solomon said, " The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom."6. Pretending is Hypocrisy. God hates sham, veneer, fakery, & putting up a front.7. Openness and repentance would have saved their lives. ( I Jn. 1:9)

Man's old nature is the problem we all struggle with. We must learn That we cannot deceive God. His eyes run to and fro through the whole earth.